Kimi on a special helmet for F1’s 1000 race: “I wanted an open-face helmet but there was some regulation issue”. Kimi Raikkonen was in fine form ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Kimi Raikkonen was in fine form ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, the veteran Alfa Romeo driver revealing how he had intended to celebrate Formula 1’s thousandth race with an open-face helmet until he read the rules!

During the F1 drivers’ press conference at Shanghai International Circuit, drivers were asked if they intended to modify their helmets in celebration.

Haas driver Romain Grosjean revealed he had a special lid design for this race, “I’ve changed the design, using the F1 1000 logo – that looks really cool – just the full white helmet. My 100th grand prix helmet and obviously being part of race 1000 in Formula 1 is going to be something big, so that helmet is going to go on the shelf.”

Racing Point driver Sergio Perez said of his plans, My helmet design didn’t change much. I just wanted to put the 1000 race logo on my helmet. It’s obviously very special as a driver to race here, at such a special venue for Formula 1, it’s a very special weekend also. I want to remember this weekend in many years, to look at this helmet and remember that I was part of the 1000th race in Formula 1.”

Toro Rosso rookie Alexander Albon said, “I’ve got a Prince Bira tribute. I thought it would be cool to go back and bring out some of the Thai history in Formula 1.”

Finally when quizzed about his plans to celebrate the milestone, Kimi Raikkonen dead-panned: “No. I wanted to have an open-face helmet but there were some regulation issues…!”